Electric device



W. G. MORAN ELECTRIC DEVICE April 7, 1936.

Filed April 29, 1933 ATTORP INVENTOR Mama/5 Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELE CTRIC DEVICE of Pennsylvania Application April 29, 1933, Serial No. 668,527

7 Claims.

This invention relates to electron discharge devices and more particularly to devices of this character adapted to be employed in the electric field. In its more specific aspect the invention is directed to an improved electron discharge device having improved mechanical characteristics and adapted to operate uniformly over an extended period of time.

Electron discharge devices, and especially those employed in the radio field generally comprise a plurality of electrode elements located in a vitreous envelope. some of these elements are of somewhat delicate mechanical design and sometimes because of the peculiar mounting of the same in said envelope they may become distorted or displaced from their original positions so that the function of. the tube is seriously impaired or they may be broken so'as to render the tube useless.

My invention is directed to the obviation of these difficulties by providing a means that serves to maintain the electrodes in their original spaced relationship and to decrease the liability of distortion or breakage of the more fragile elements during transportation or when subjected to normal operating conditions.

Another object of my invention is to provide an electron discharge device having rugged me chanical characteristics and adapted to have uniform electrical characteristics when operated over an extended period of time.

Another object of my invention is to provide an electron discharge device of such mechanical construction that the same may be transported and operated without distortion, displacement or breakage of the delicate elements therein contained.

Another object of my invention is to provide an electron discharge device of rigid construction and which may be economically manufactured.

The above and other objects of my invention will become readily apparent from the following specification and drawing wherein,

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal cross sectional view with some of the parts in elevation of an electron disoharge device embodying my invention.

Figure 2 represents a fragmentary perspective view of. an electron discharge device embodying my invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fragment of the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2 and illustrates a modified constructional detail as part of my invention.

Figure 4 represents a view similar to Figure 3 and illustrates a further modified constructional detail as part of my invention.

As shown in the drawing the electron dis charge device includes an evacuated vitreous envelope I0 having a reentrant stem ll of appre- 5 ciable length. The upper or free end of the reentrant stem l I is in the form of a pinch or press I2 in which are hermetically sealed a plurality of spaced leading-in and supporting conductors l3, l4 and i5. These supporting conductors, 10 sealed in the press, extend interiorly and exteriorly of said envelope.

Welded to and electrically supported by said leading in and supporting conductor [5 is a supporting rod I6 which is in electrical contact with 15 said rod [5 and extends parallel to the central longitudinal axis of said envelope. Welded to the supporting rods l3 and I4 and extending upwardly in said envelope are respective cathode supporting rods I1 and I8. 20

A cruciform insulator l9 consisting of cross arms 20 and 2| arranged at right angles to each other and composed of an insulating material, such as lavite or the like, is located above said press and has vertical openings therein to ac- 25 commodate the supports 16, H and [8 which extend therethrough. An inverted W-shaped filament 22 that is to serve as the electron emitting element or cathode has its free ends welded to the free ends of the respective supports I! and I8. 30 The lower bight of. said filament 22 is located in and bears against a hook 23 having a shank extending through a vertical opening in the center of said insulator and fixedly secured thereto.

A rod 24 substantially parallel to the rod 16 35 also extends through an opening in the arm 2| of said insulator I9. These two rods l6 and 24 respectively located at the openings near the extremities of the cross arm 2|, serve to support a grid wire 25 which comprises a helix of fine 4 wire wound therearound and suitably secured thereto. Short metallic cross bars 26 and 21 are welded respectively to those portions of the rods I6 and 24 just below the insulator 19. These cross bars serve to prevent grid displacement in 4 a vertical direction. In place of the cross bars I may mash the rods l6 and 24 at the portions thereof just below the insulators to provide enlarged sections serving the same purpose as said bars.

According to my invention a resilient metallic band or sleeve 28 is clamped around the reentrant tube ll slightly below the press and is in frictional engagement therewith by virtue of the nut and bolt arrangement 29.

That portion of the reentrant tube around which the band 23; is wrapped is preferably roughened means of sand blast or hydrofluoric acid for friction purposes. Welded to the outer portion of said band 28 are a plurality of spaced rigid supporting standards 39 and 3|. The distance between said supporting standards at the junctions between the same and the sleeve 28 corresponds to about a arc.

These supporting; standards 30 and 3| extend upwardly and are bent towards each other along their length and are welded together at the position where the shorter one 30 terminates. The supporting standard 30 is of such a length as to extend a small distance above the supporting rods I3, l4 and 5. The supporting standard 3| is of such a length as to extend materially above said supporting rods 3, It and I5 as shown to extend up to the upper extremity of the supporting rod |6.

From that point where the supporting standard 30 is welded to the supporting standard 3| the supporting standard 3| extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the envelope and to the supporting rods l6 and:24.

On the other side of said pressand in a diametrically opposed relationship to said respective supporting standards 30 and 3| are a pair of similar standards 32 and 33. The supporting standards 32 and 33 are respectively of thesame configuration and of substantially the same length as the supporting standards 30 and 3|, with the upper end of the supporting standard 33} being in substantially the same horizontal planeas the upper end of the supporting standard 30. In the same manner as supporting standards 3!] and 3 the supporting standards 32 and 33 are spaced from each other at one end, welded to the band 28 and welded to each other at the end of standard 33.

The supporting standards 3| and 33 extend through respective vertical perforations located near the extremities of the cross arm 26 of the insulator l9. This insulator has the outer ends of its cross arm 20 in contact with and resting upon the upper end of the supporting standards 30 and 32 which may be slightly flattened or flanged thereat. The supporting standards 3|], 3|, 32 and 33 serve asa seating means for the insulator l9 to maintain the same spaced from said press. The insulator l9 aligns the elements that pass therethrough.

Relatively short discs 34 of carbon or the like, have central openings therein to accommodate the respective supporting standards 3| and 33, with each disc being of substantially the'same height. These discs rest upon the outer ends of the cross arm and have the supporting standards 3| and 33 extending therethrough. Also mounted upon said supporting standards 3| and 33, and as shown, supported by the upper parallel portions thereof, is a unitary composite rigid anode 35 composed of carbon or the like, and of the type disclosed in the application Serial No. 673,865 of George M. Dinnick filed June 1, 1933, and entitled an Electron discharge device and anode therefor.

The anode comprises an elongated hollow member consisting of two flat sides arranged parallel to each other and integral with two curved portions forming the other sides. A cross sectional View of said anode at right angles to its major axis is in the form of a rectangle having rounded ends. At the mid Width of said flat sides and extending along the entire length thereof are.

lateral extensions. Each extension of appreciable cross sectional area. has an opening therethrough and along the length thereof parallel te the longitudinal axis thereofi The diameter of these openings is about the same as that of the supperting standards 3| and 33 so that the anode can be sliddown on these two supporting standards. These two supporting standards 3|;and 33 extend through the vertical openings in the anode which rests upon;

the discs. 34. Also mounted on said supporting; standards 3| and 33 are a pair of discs 33 of the same type and configuration as the discs 33, and like the discs 34 serve to space the lavite in-, sulator away from the, anode, which becomes highly heated during tu'pe manufacture. These discs rest upon the lateral extensions of the anode. Resting upon the discs 36 is'a cruciform upper insulator 31 having cross arms 38 and 39 and: composed of an insulating material, such as la-y, vite or the like. a e i The supporting standards 3| and 33; extend through openings in the cross arm 38, these openings being in line with theiopenings in the arm 20, so that the anode is aligned in proper spaced relationship witl respect to the other electrodes. These supporting standards 3| and 33 being in contact with the anode act as a lead therefor. A suitable potential may be applied to the .anode through these supporting stand:- ards 3| and 33 electrically connected to an electrical conducting lead 40 welded to the rod 33. The lead 40 is hermetically sealed in the reentrant stem an appreciable distance below the press l2 and extends exteriorly and interiorly of said envelope.

The other cross bar 39 of said insulator 31 has a plurality of spaced vertically disposed openings therein with the openings at the outer ends there of being adapted to accommodate the rods E3 and 24 which project upwardly therethrough.

Weldedly secured to the rods l5 and 24 at the portions thereof immediately adjacent the upper face of said insulator 31 are cross bars 33. Projecting through the two spaced intermediate openings are the shanks of resilient hook members 4| having the spring portions thereof resting upon the insulator, with the hook portions thereof surrounding and in contact with the two upper bights of the filament 22. These spring members cooperating with the lower hook and the supports l1 and I8 retain the filament in a taut and upright position, properly spaced from the other electrodes.

In further accordance with my invention I provide'tie rods 42 and 43 to prevent cathode breaking or distortion or derangement of any other electrode and to maintain the electrodes in their original positions during nomnal transportation or operation.

This result may be accomplished by employing the two inverted U shaped rods 32 and 43 in the manner illustrated. The rod 42 having a cross piece 44 and legs 45 and 46 is so positioned that the cross piece 44 rests upon the upper face of the cross arm 38 and immediately adjacent that portion of the supporting standard 3| extending above said cross arm 38. With the rod 42 in this position a tensile force is applied to the legs 45 and 46 to maintain the elements IE, 34, 35, 36 and 31 in firm contact with each other. Whilethe tensile force is still applied to the legs 45 and 46 now under suitable tension, the ends of legs 45 and 46 are welded tothe lower portions of the supporting standards 30 and 3| at the places where the supporting standards '30, 3| and the legs 45 and '46 meet. Then the cross piece of the U rod is welded to that portion of the standard immediately adjacent and above the insulator 31.

The rod 43 having a cross piece and legs similar to the rod 42 is mounted in a similar manner and diametrically opposite the rod 42, with the rod 43 while under tension and secured by Welding to the upper end of the supporting standard 33 and to the lower portion of the supporting standards 32 and 33 at the places of meeting of the supporting standards 32 and 33 and the legs of rod 43.

The legs of the rods 42 and '43 aresubstantially parallel as shown and are assembled always under suitabletension to maintain the elements I9, 34, 35, 36 and 31 in firm contact with each other. These rods 42 and 43 together with the supporting standards provide a rigid structure which decreases the liability of electrode distortion or displacement because bending in any direction is substantially precluded.

. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the cross pieces of the rods 42 and 43 are located adjacent and between vertical standards and the ends of the cross arm 38. It is within the purview of my invention to have the cross pieces of the rods 42 and 43 located on the other side of the vertical standards and secured thereto as shown in Figure 3. The construction disclosed in Figure 3 further differs from that of Figures 1 and 2 in that the cross piece of the rods 42 and 43 are slightly curved to provide a seat for the upper ends of the standards.

A further modification of the cross piece is that shown in Figure 4 where the cross piece of the rods 42 and 43 may be pressed outwardly and having a perforated flattened portion through which the supporting standards 3| and 33 may project.

Instead of employing single piece inverted U- shaped rods 42 and 43, they may be formed of a pair of longitudinally extending parallel and spaced rods welded to a separate metallic cross rod resting on the ends of the upper insulator as does the cross piece of the rods 42 and 43. The lower ends of these rods or those of the elements 42 and 43 may be welded directly to the band 28 instead of to the supporting standards 30, 3|, 32 and 33 as illustrated.

For the purposes of providing a getter material in the envelope I may mount a getter 49 on the leg 45 in the manner shown.

Because my invention is susceptible to modifications, it is to be limited only by the prior art and not by the particular construction herein specifically described.

What is claimed:

1. An electric device including a stem, a plurality of electrode supports carried by said stem, a lower insulator spaced from said stem, and an upper insulator spaced from said first insulator, a plurality of electrodes in electrical contact with said supports, one of said electrodes being rigid and surrounding the other electrodes, said supports including a plurality of standards extending through openings in said insulators, means carried by said stem for limiting downward movement of said lower insulator and a plurality of inverted U shaped members each member having its cross arm secured to the upper part of one of said standards and the longitudinal arms thereof secured respectively to the lower part of each of said standards and to said first mentioned means.

2: An electric device including a stem, a cathode, a grid and a rigid anode, a lower cruciform movement of said lower insulator and a U shaped rod mounted near one end of said insulator adjacent said standards and secured to said rods.

3. An electric device including a stem, a plurality of conductors sealed in said stem, a lower insulator spaced from said stem, an upper insulator spaced from said lower insulator, said insulators having the configuration of a cross and having openings therein, a cathode, a grid and an anode located between said insulators, supporting elements extending through the openings in one of the cross arms of said lower insulator and through openings in the cross arms of the upper insulator and connected to said cathode and grid, a plurality of standards carried by said stem, said standards extending through openings in the other cross arms of said insulators, a plurality of additional supporting standards carried by said stem for positioning said lower insulator, inverted U shaped rods secured to said standards at two places and also secured to said additional supporting standards.

4. An electric device comprising a stem, upper and lower insulators spaced from said stem and from each other, said insulators being cruciform and having openings therein, a cathode and a grid located between said insulators, supporting means for said cathode and grid, some of said supporting means extending through one of the cross arms of the lower insulator and some of said supporting means extending through the cross arm of the upper insulator, a plurality of standards carried by said stern, said standards extending through openings in the other cross arms of the upper and lower insulators, inverted U shaped rods having their cross arms located over the upper insulator, the cross arms of said U shaped rods being secured to said standards, additional supporting standards also carried by said stem and in abutting relation with the lower insulator, the long arms of said U shaped rods being secured to said standards and said additional supporting standards.

5. An electric device comprising a stem, an up per insulator and a lower insulator spaced from said stem and from each other, a plurality of conductors sealed in said stem, an anode, a cathode and a grid located between said insulators, said insulators being cruciform and having openings therein, conductors extending through one of the cross arms of the lower insulator and connected to said cathode and grid and also to said conductors, means extending through openings in one of the arms of the upper insulator for supporting said cathode, said upper insulator being supported by said anode, a plurality of standards extending through the other cross arms of said insulators, U shaped rods having the cross arms thereof secured to said standards at positions over the upper insulator, additional supporting standards also carried by said stem for limiting downward movement of said lower insulator, the long arms of said inverted U shaped rods being secured to said standards and said additional supporting standards.

6. An electric device including a stem, a rigid anode spaced from said stem, an insulator, a pair of standards carried by said stem and extending through openings in said insulator, a second insulator spaced from said first insulator and having openings through which said standards project, upwardly extending additional supporting standards carried by said stem and secured to said standards for limiting downward movement of said first mentioned insulator, said anode being supported by said first mentioned insulator and said standards, and means for preventing lateral displacement of said anode, said means including two pairs of spaced rods cooperating with said upper insulator and secured to said standards.

7. An electric device including a stem, a rigid anode spaced from said stem, a plurality of spaced insulators having openings therein, a band encircling said stem, a plurality of supporting standards secured to said band and spaced from each other, two of said supporting standards limiting the downward movement of one of said insulators, the other two of said supporting standards extending through openings in both of said insulators, a pair of inverted U-shaped elements having the short cross arms thereof extending over the upper face of the upper insulator and having the longitudinal arms thereof secured to said rods carried by said band. 7

WILLIAM GREGOR MORAN. 

